Log washer



July 3, 1956 R, l FYE Z LOG WASHER Filed June lO, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. PoA/Aw L. FYE

ATTORNEY R. L. FYE

LOG WASHER July 3, i956 2 Sheets-SlmecA 2 Filed June l0, 1954 INVENTOR. Rav/uv l.. F/E BY RUM-1M. ATTORNEY LUG WASHER Ronald lL. Eye, Hollidaysburg, Pa., assigner to McLanahan di Stone Corporation, -lollidaysltinrg3 la., a corn poration of Pennsylvania Application .lune lll, i954, Serial No. 435,863

3 Claims. (Cl. 259-410) This invention relates to a log washer and embodies several improved features of construction, the nature of which will appear hereinafter and be generally referred to in the hereinafter recited objects of the invention.

An object of the invention is the provision of a log washer having a much longer operating life, particularly from the standpoint of necessity of repair.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel and improved means of absorbing the detiection of the logs of the washer and to eliminate the use of selfaligning bearings in the drive of the washer which have heretofore been used and which have resulted in misalignment of the driving gears and hence have abnormal wear and break-down.

A still further object of the invention is an improvement of the log box itself by providing a box which is sufiiciently strong to make it self supporting.

The specific constructions utilized to the accomplishment of the foregoing objects will appear in detail in the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings, wherein an embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of the log washer.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the log washer.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on the line -3 of Pig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-*4 of Fig. l looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. l looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through one of the log bearings at the feed end of the box.

A log washer is a well known machine which is ordi narily used for removing tough clay, soft rock, sand and other refuse from many diiterent kinds of materials such as iron and manganese ores, limestone, phosphate, gold, as well as many other ores.

Considered in its broadest aspect a log washer comprises an elongated box in which is ordinarily revolvably mounted a pair of logs carrying washing paddles. Suitable power means is provided for rotating these logs in opposite directions. The feed end of the box is disposed t in a lower plane and water is suitably delivered to the box to liush from it the refuse freed from the ore or other material therein by reason of the rotating logs.

The bearings supporting the logs have always been a source of trouble and this is usually occasioned because refuse from the wash box enters them and they rapidly wear out or are so damaged as to need replacement. However, another cause of diihculty with the bearings is that the logs are subjected to heavy thrust due to the fact that on many occasions the nature of the material being worked upon is such as to cause the logs to bow longitudinally of their lengths, which presents diiliculty in respect to not only the log supporting bearings at the feed end of the box but also in respect to the connection between the logs and the log driving mechanism at the opposite end of the box. The present invention has been conceived to overcome these difficulties and the constructions hereinafter to be described are for the purpose of overcoming these diiiculties.

By overcoming the recited deficiencies of log Washers as heretofore made, the costly replacement of bearings and supporting means for the logs is overcome, as is also the elimination of the idleness of the machine during replacement and repair work.

Ordinarily the boxes of log Washers are provided with channel beams ruiming the full length o-f the boxes and the end walls of the boxes have beenconventionally provided with strengthening ribs, but the box of the present invention eliminates these elements yet provides a box having suliicient strength to be self-supporting and at the same time provides a lower or feed end wall which can delect by actually moving inward or outward so as to absorb the longitudinal deection of the logs without injury to the log supporting bearings which are firmly secured to the feed end wall of the box.

The present log washer eliminates self-aligning bearings in the connection between the washer logs and the drive for the logs. The present device utilizes specially constructed universal joints between the washer logs and the drive therefor which permits the use of rigidly mounted output shafts from the drive mechanism, which shafts are not only connected to but support the logs at the high or discharge end of the box.

From the foregoing general description the following specific description of the improved features of the present log washer will be understood, as well as will the advantages derived therefrom.

The washer box, designated as an entirety by A is of a comparatively narrow and elongated rectangular shape and is illustrated as having an open top, but it is not unusual to provide a closure therefor which can be of any desired nature.

The box comprises side walls l and 2, a feed end wall 3 and a discharge end wall 4. The construction is unique in that the side and end walls are welded to the box bottom 5 which is inset, that is to say, all the walls extend downwardly beyond the box bottom, as will be clearly apparent from Fig. l of the drawings. The upper edges of the side walls are bent outwardly to form longitudinally extending box supporting lianges 6 and 7.

Within the box are a pair of spacedapart parallel logs B and C to which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured a plurality of paddles 8 which are conventional to washer logs. The logs are revolved toward each other and form a ridge of material along the center of the washer box. rThe paddles, which are set at angles, cause an abrading and cutting action as they pass up through the aggregate. Each paddle propels a part of the material along the logs, causing a scrubbing action, not only between the paddles but also between the pieces of the aggregate. This action results in the division and disintegration of the clay and soft particles.

At the feed end of the box these logs are rotatably supported in identical bearings D and E which are rigidly secured, as will hereinafter be described, to the feed end wall 3 of the box. At their opposite ends these logs are each provided with a universal connection F and G through which they are not only supported but also have driving connection with the rigid drive shafts 9 and itl which extend outwardly from any suitable gear type drive, not shown, within the transmission housing; H.

For the purpose of supporting the power mechanism a frame is provided beyond the discharge end 4 of the box. This frame comprises side channel irons lll and l2 which have theirends suitably secured, as by welding, to the end of the box anda.crosschanneliron 13. AV plate 14 is provided on this frame and supports an electric motor 15 which through suitable belt drive drives the pulley wall 17 ofthe main drive shaft- 18 whi'chrotates the aforementionedV gearing within the transmission housing.

It issometimes found? necessary to vary the height' of the wash waterwithint the box and to provide for this a variable overflow is provided inl one side of the box. There is an overflow spout 19 at the outer side of the box side 1 adjacent an opening 20 therein. At the inner side of' this opening are a pairof guides 21 and 22 for slidably receiving a plate or gate valve 23:

The universalv joints for connecting the logs to the drive shafts 9 and 10 are identical and accordingly a de scription or one will serve-as a description of the other.

With reference tolFigs. l, 2 and5 which illustrate the joints, I is a steel block having secured therein against rotation a pin 24. Also in the block and secured against rotation therein andl extending through the block at right' n angles to the pin 24' is a second pin 26. The log is at its end provided with a circular disc 27 to which is removably secured as by bolts or the like, a similar disc 28 carrying a pair of spaced-apart ears 29 and 30 which rotatably receive the pin 24. The shaft 10 is provided with a circular disc 31 to which is bolted, as at 32, see Fig. 5, a disc 33 of similar configuration. This disc is provided with spaced-apart ears or lugs 34 and 35 Which rotatably receive the pin 26, washers 36 or some similar suitable like means secure they ears from longitudinal displacement from their pins.

From the construction described it will be seen that the pin engaging ears` can rotate onA the pins and that the construction allows this' end of the log to move in almost any direction so as to accommodate at this end of the log any bowing of the log which might occur.

The log supporting bearings Dand E at the feed end of the washer are of identical construction and description of one will suffice to describe the other.

By reference to Fig. 6 it will be seen that at the feed end of the machine the log is provided with corresponding axle-like portion 37' of reducedl diameter and this portion is rotatably supported in the bearing E.

The bearing comprises an elongated tubular open ended housing 38 provided intermediate its length with a circumferential flange 39' whichy is bolted as at` 40 to the delivery end wall 3 of the box. Intermediate this lange andthe box a spacer shim 41- is illustrated. Although this shim is` not essential` it is sometimes necessary to use one or more of them to compensate or accommodate varying lengths of logs in the box. In any event whether the shims are usedI or not used a liquid gasket material is applied between the housing flange and the box wall to provide a water-tight seal;

The inner end of the bearing housing is closed by a wearing plate 42 removably secured in place by screws 43 or the like. A sleeve 44v surrounds the log axle 37 for a portion of its length and has one end in abutment as at 45 with the log and its other end' in abutment with a washer 46 or the like as at 47. Any standard type of seals or sealing elements 48 surround the sleeve 45 and are disposed in the space between the wear plate 42 and an inwardly extending internal flange 49 formed as a part of the bearing housing. v

Outward of the washer 46 and extending to the end of the log shaft 37' a conventional roller bearing 50 surrounds the log axle and is held against displacement by a plate 51 which is removably secured to the end of the log axle by bolts 5201' the like.

The outer end of the bearing housing is closed by a removable cover plate 53 detachably secured by bolts 54k or the like. This plate is provided with an opening or passageway 55 through which suitable lubricant can be introduced into the interior bearing housing.

To prevent the entry of water into the bearing an excluder- K- is provided. This ismade of rubber and-is secured in place by a metallic band 56 or the like so that it will rotate with the log. The excluder has a Wall or portion 57 inclined rearwardly and outwardly to engage the wear plate 42 under resilient tension and due to this inclination and the resilient nature of the exclud'er it will maintain a pressure against the wear plate even after it has been subjected to wear. Consequently the excluder performs constantly tol effectively exclude the entry of water into the bearing housing.

If and when distortion or bowing of the log occurs, it is compensated for at the feed end of the box by reason of the bearing housings being rigidly secured to the feed end 3 of the box, whichK boxv end can deilect. inwardly and outwardly as the case may be in response to the bowing of the logs. The provision of intentional deflection of the box end is novel and has not been possible heretofore by reason of the fact that washer box ends have been made rigidV for the precise purpose of preventing either inwardv or outwardldeiiection'.

Wash water can be supplied to the interior ofV the box through a pipe 58 by connecting the same to any convenient source of water supply.

At spaced points and below the box bottom 5 transversely extending' channel irons S9 and 60 and 61 are provid'ed to strengthenl the construction so that the box willbe-self-supporting.

l. In -aV logwasher, an elongated washer box, an elongated login and extending longitudinally of the box, means on the end walls of the box engaging the ends of the log and rotatablyv supporting the same in the box, and one of said' end walls being deflectable inwardly and outwardly in respect tothe box to absorb any deflection of thelog along its longitudinal axis.

2. In a log washer, an elongated washer box having bottom, side, and end closure walls, one endv wall being at they receivingv end of the box and the other end wall at the discharge end of the box, a power drive means beyond the discharge end wall of the box provided with a rigid rotatable shaft extending through the end wall and into the box, the receiving end wall of the box being deflectable inwardly andY outwardly in respect to the box, a.

bearing mounted on said end wall and extending intoV the box, an elongated log within the box, one end of the log being rotatably supported in the bearing, anda universal connection between the other end of the log and the shaft of thev driving means.

3. In a log washer, an elongated washer box having bottom', side, andv end closure walls, one end wall being at the receiving end of the box and the other end. wall at the discharge end of the box, the end wall at the discharge end of the box beingv non-deformable, the end wall at. the receiving end of the box being deformable inwardly and outwardly in respect to the box, an elongated log in and extending longitudinally of the box, means secured to each box end wall rotatably supporting the log, a power d'rive means connected to the log for rotating. the

same, and said deliectable endl wall' acting to bend out' wardly' upon the' application of any pressure on the log in an amount which would cause a deection of the log along its longitudinal axis.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 539,288 McLennan May 14, 1895 1,604,975 Cornelius Nov. 2, 1926 1,609,652 McQueen Dec. 7, 1926 FGREIGN PATENTS 530,042 Germany of 1931 

